This is a discussion on Skoda Yeti. 4.5 lakh repair bill! EDIT: Fuel system replaced under warranty within Technical Stuff, part of the Under the Hood category; Originally Posted by Jaggu
Indeed good news to pay 30k instead of 450k BUT! what was the actual issue? and ...

Indeed good news to pay 30k instead of 450k BUT! what was the actual issue? and what all is being done to rectify the same? Has Skoda/Dealer given you clear info about the problem and the work that is being done? Do get this in writing to cover any future issues with the car.

No not yet. I only have verbal confirmation from Skoda and awaiting their official mail. Will see what is the actual issue and what works are being done on my car.
And of course it is good news when you hear that the car is getting repaired under warranty and they have said upto a maximum of 30K, so may be less. Will update on this once I have more information

Good to hear you're moving towards a resolution, Catamaran. I still don't see why you should be footing 30k if it is actually done under warranty - is this the actual cost of parts to be replaced as per the Skoda rep, as against what Marikar wanted you to cough up before Skoda intervention?

That's something to cheer about. And you still should not be asked to pay 30k if its not your fault. Do insist on the same. I feel it is lucky that there were multiple threads on the forum at the same time and probably that was too much for even skoda to turn a blind eye to.

1. What would have been the real problem ? I do not believe the story of this adulterated fuel as the car had run for almost 90kms after filling fuel and then stopped. The agent has strange answer telling this that the fuel filter has certain capacity beyond which it will not perform. The filter is meant for stopping water and other impurities right ??

I have no idea why these things happen, but when my superb started getting this check engine light issue at about 3-4k kms, we found that there was coolant in the gearbox, engine oil mixed with coolant and other seemingly impossible plumbing mixtures.

Sadly after 3-4 years of trying to get it fixed, we had to just give our car away for no money.

Be very careful leaving your car at the workshop for extended periods of time. In my case, they took out a lot lf parts (sunroof switch, headlight bulb) and replaced with old or non genuine parts. Sadly there's nothing you can do to prove this -- all you can do is let them know that you're an 'aware' customer and take photos of the engine and interiors when you leave the car there, and take the pictures in their presence.

Don't try to go to the media -- Skoda is a big advertiser. Don't try to go to the consumer court. They have a huge commitment of resources to scuttle consumer court issues. Just try to be polite with Skoda people, get your work done, and sell the car ASAP. And we all know how useless it is to try to shame them on FB, twitter etc.

It sucks, but there's not much that you can do. Instead of feeling angry and upset over it, just focus on getting rid of this thing. Don't wait for the value to run to the ground. Good luck - keep your chin up and focus on what you gotta do - get this thing fixed somehow and Sell it.

Don't get distracted by media, consumer court, posting on Facebook etc. Just fix -- and sell.

I have no idea why these things happen, but when my superb started getting this check engine light issue at about 3-4k kms, we found that there was coolant in the gearbox, engine oil mixed with coolant and other seemingly impossible plumbing mixtures.

Sadly after 3-4 years of trying to get it fixed, we had to just give our car away for no money.

Be very careful leaving your car at the workshop for extended periods of time. In my case, they took out a lot lf parts (sunroof switch, headlight bulb) and replaced with old or non genuine parts. Sadly there's nothing you can do to prove this -- all you can do is let them know that you're an 'aware' customer and take photos of the engine and interiors when you leave the car there, and take the pictures in their presence.

Don't try to go to the media -- Skoda is a big advertiser. Don't try to go to the consumer court. They have a huge commitment of resources to scuttle consumer court issues. Just try to be polite with Skoda people, get your work done, and sell the car ASAP. And we all know how useless it is to try to shame them on FB, twitter etc.

It sucks, but there's not much that you can do. Instead of feeling angry and upset over it, just focus on getting rid of this thing. Don't wait for the value to run to the ground. Good luck - keep your chin up and focus on what you gotta do - get this thing fixed somehow and Sell it.

Don't get distracted by media, consumer court, posting on Facebook etc. Just fix -- and sell.

My good God! That is indeed a very dark picture you paint about Skoda and unethical practices by service centres. Makes it sound like one long dark tunnel with no light at the end. Skoda had better do something and pronto to improve its image.
That said - don't you think the replacement of original parts with fake/old parts is a one off bad apple (service centre) thing? I am sure individuals make a difference - a couple of dishonest/sharp service or sales guys can create havoc.

What I am surprised to see is that there is no mention of what repairs will be carried out. Can the consumables alone cost 30k? Or is it a case of the dealer giving a high initial estimate to fleece Catamaran and once this issue is escalated, they just decided to do only what was necessary?

Catamaran, please ensure that you follow up the repairs closely so that they will not cut corners to reduce the bill and pose in front of you as if they did a good deed. Else you may face issues in sometime again. Also demand a written document on what the problem was and what was the solution to it.

That said - don't you think the replacement of original parts with fake/old parts is a one off bad apple (service centre) thing? I am sure individuals make a difference - a couple of dishonest/sharp service or sales guys can create havoc.

Who knows. I used to try to think the same when I read cases of what happened to others -- until it happened to my own car. Unfortunately I had no proof - except that the headlights suddenly looked older, the sunroof switch suddenly was scruffy and a different shade of grey etc.

Maybe it's a couple f guys. Maybe it's all of Skoda -- it doesn't matter. I don't drive a Skoda anymore, so i try to not get angry about these things anymore. I learned the art of 'zen' during my whole Skoda experience. It doesn't bother me anymore.

Be very careful leaving your car at the workshop for extended periods of time. In my case, they took out a lot lf parts (sunroof switch, headlight bulb) and replaced with old or non genuine parts. Sadly there's nothing you can do to prove this...

Wow, sorry to hear of your woes with the Superb. Since you're from Mumbai, could you please let us know which dealer/workshop you're referring to so that we can all be wary/avoid it?

Last edited by iliketurtles : 20th January 2014 at 10:26.
Reason: D'oh!

Finally some good news. Mr. Shakeel from Skoda had called. He has confirmed Skoda's decision to repair the car under warranty terms and maximum we may have to spend from our side will be 30,000 Rs. Think it's a fair deal and I am awaiting official confirmation from Skoda /
Dealer. The support from Marikar Engineering has so far been excellent. Although a little late Skoda has finally agreed and I am happy with their support. They were calling us regularly and updating and sent their expert to check the car again.

Congrats! I believe Skoda is trying its best to satisfy their customers. Good Move! Having said that, the issue is because of the adulterated fuel. A relative of mine told me his i10 has the same issue and the fuel pump had to be changed, costing him INR 15K.

Be very careful leaving your car at the workshop for extended periods of time. In my case, they took out a lot lf parts (sunroof switch, headlight bulb) and replaced with old or non genuine parts.

Sometimes prevention is the best cure.

If the dealer opens up the car and finds a defective part that needs replacement which is out of stock, get them to put everything back in as before, make an advance payment for the part , and drive your car back home. If the car is not driveable, get it towed back home. Bring your car back when all the parts arrive.
Don't leave the car in the garage for extended period of time, especially when no work is getting done on it. These dealers often have little/no security, and many a time, they dont have secured area to hold wip cars. In Okhla, Delhi have seen dealers park cars waiting for parts out on the street, to free up precious workshop space.
What happens to the cars in such cases is anyone's guess.

The dealer has ordered all parts and it seems that except for the high pressure pump all other parts are readily available in india. The HP pump has to come from Europe. I think they are changing the injectors, fuel pump and related things connected to the fuel system, will have to get the confirmation though.

Hopefully will get the car in max two weeks time. May be I will have to bear the cost of filters, oil and miscellaneous which we have agreed.